2018 chapter 25: June 20

 Got our sandpit in this week!! It rained all weekend, rained while I put the sand in, and has been raining since. The kids played while I put the sand it (sand is so heavy! And of course it was all the way down our hill...guess it's better to run down with a full wheelbarrow vs having to push it up full) and already had lots of fights break out, sand being thrown, laying down in the sand, a ruined skirt from "muddy" sand, and Blake falling on a rock giving herself a fat lip and a great bruise that has purpled up nicely. Already regretting this - sand will always be everywhere.

Tonight I went to Young Women's and brought the kiddos since Husband is out of town. We went to someone's house for a bonfire and my kids ended up playing with 6 and 8 year old that live there. It was so cute to watch these "big kids" enjoy being the big kids to my little kids. They ran all over the yard playing tag and tiring out my littles. And then they went inside and discovered all the big kid toys - specifically the Barbie's were extremely exciting. And then I had to double arm carry Jacqueline out to the car cause she didn't want to leave (and she was overly tired). I got the first two out to the car and told Jac we were leaving her, and when I came back in to get her the older girls were sad to learn that I was just playing chicken and wasn't actually leaving them with a fun real life doll. 

Wade built a space ship for Buzz. Complete with garbage back pack. Obviously. 

We got the craziest rain ever on father's day. Husband had to go out put away the charcoal away and took his umbrella. Which, did little to keep him dry. Especially cause then we realized Stella was outside and he went to get her; she was terrified, but also protecting her precious rib bone. We got so much rain that it filled our kiddie pool. Filled it. With rain. 

"A woman should own as many shoes as she wants, and not feel guilty about it." This quote hangs in my closet, said by my grandmother. I really try to respect and follow the wisdom from my elders. My children are also turning into shoe people. 

Blake has been saying "no problem" this week. I say thank you and she says, "no problem." Jacqueline asks her to share and she says, "no problem." It's my favorite thing right now. And she keeps telling me to "no toucha" everything. "No toucha my owie. Okay? Okay." "No toucha my food, okay? Okay." All my kids do the "Okay? Okay." And I know it's because that's what I say ALL THE TIME! 

Blake decided this week that she wanted to go in the potty. I wasn't ready. Yes, I'm complaining about my kid deciding to be done with diapers. Everyone's excited and cheering her on cause I give everyone a piece of candy when she goes potty. But now I just have to remind her all the time and fight with her a little cause she doesn't always want to go. And I just have so many butts to wipe now. I feel like I am always having someone call from the bathroom that they're all done and need me. 

Wade brought his remote control trains into the car and kept running them (annoying) and telling me that it's his songs and he played Blake a new "Thunder." 

We got to bed late last night and Wade passed out while drinking his milk. He came into my room crying at 3 am that he didn't brush his teeth. Such a rule follower. He also woke up this morning asking, "Mommy, did you hear my dream in your bedroom? It was about all the slime. I don't like my bad dreams. I only like my god dreams about my mommy. Those are my favorite ones." 

I've been a picture machine. Last week I joined up with two other photographers and one model - we each picked one outfit and location and then we all took pictures at each spot. It was so cool! And I learned a lot from two very talented and way more experienced photographers. Oh, and then working with a real model! The first location I was so shocked at how wonderful it was to work with someone who knew how to pose that I was just shooting like crazy - it was so eye opening! Here's my favorite one: 

 And then I did a newborn shoot on Saturday and it felt so good to know what I was doing and get some amazing shots that I knew the parents would love and cherish. Again, my favorite.

We also spread a bunch of mulch this week, put sand in the sand pit, got wood for a raised bed, put dirt into my raised rock bed. Been so busy. Also, got a slide. And a lot of my flowers are blooming and the colors are mixing so well and I'm loving it. Especially with newly laid mulch cause all the weeds are hiding underneath. 

Solo parenting is hard. I can't say being a single parent, because I'm not a single parent - I don't know how they do it. For reals. Still, going solo is exhausting. Husband is in Seattle on a golf trip with his brother and parents and I'm here. With three kids, one of which is potty training. It's exhausting when Husband is here. But I'm trying to remember to be a fun mom. To have fun being a mom. Cause it is so fun.